Thursday, July 11, 2013

District staff measured flow of 17.5 cfs at Barton Springs today, putting the 10-day average below the Stage III Critical drought threshold for the first time since Stage III drought was declared on April 17, 2013. This stage of drought declaration was based on the water level in the Lovelady monitor well having dropped below its Stage III threshold. Lovelady water level does not respond to small rain events as dramatically as the discharge at Barton Springs does. June was a very dry month bringing the total rainfall deficit since Novemeber to 9 inches below average.

Drought Rules

Either Barton Springs OR the Lovelady Well can trigger a drought declaration by the Board. However, BOTH Barton Springs AND the Lovelady Well must be above their respective drought trigger levels to exit a drought declaration.